This year, Rocky Run Middle School hosted a successful Stress Less, Laugh More week for their students! Their daily agenda included a variety of stress-relieving efforts, like replacing their bells with a fun song or including inspiring quotes in the morning announcements; there were also activities everyday in the cafeteria so all students could get a chance to participate:

Meditation Monday

• Bell song: “Happy” by Pharrell
• Morning announcements: “Happiness is a direction, not a place.” – Sydney J. Harris
• Cafeteria activity: Stress-O-Meter poster

Talk About It Tuesday

• Bell song: “I’ll Be There For You” by The Rembrandts (Friends theme song)
• Morning announcements: “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.” – Mark Twain
• Cafeteria activity: “Who’s your Go-to Person?” poster, with candy to encourage student participation

Witty Wednesday

• Bell song: “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
• Morning announcements: “Life is better when you’re laughing.”
• Benefits of Laughter poster for each classroom
• Cafeteria activity: Photobooth with props

Tranquil Thursday

• Bell song: “Let It Be” by The Beatles
• Morning announcements: “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
• Cafeteria activity: Photobooth with props, continued
• John Halligan presentation for students
• Kids were encouraged to wear comfy clothes, sweats, etc.

Feel Fine Friday

• Bell song: “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors
• Morning announcements: “We tend to forget that happiness does not come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” – Frederick Koenig
• Cafeteria activity: I AM Self-Affirmations posters, promoting positive messages, and candy
• Stress Less, Laugh More WROK (Rocky Run’s video production class) news show with skits on stressing less